Where to Start with Reading the Church Fathers

This video is an answer to a listener who asked what the best place to start is for reading the church fathers. I recommend some of the best places to start, and also address what not to read.

[caseyshaneperkins]

Athanasius "On the Incarnation" was a great beginning for me. Short and accessible.

[siddharthabanerjee]

A very long time ago, about 2 months after I had come to Christ, I got my hands on a copy of the On The Incarnation, though it did not include C.S. Lewis' introduction. By the time I had completed reading the book, the seeds of my deep interest in theology had been sown inside me by the writings of St. Athanasius without me realising it. What an amazing read that was.

[andrewsimpson]

To add on, Vladimir Seminary Press has a series called Popular Patristics and they have quite a few good volumes including Melito of Saris' On Pascha. There's also the Didache which is an early church writing, though we don't know the exact author.

[zachhawkins]

Thank you for your recommendations.

Knowing where to start for getting into the patristic fathers is perhaps especially more hard for us of the “Bible Church”/nondenominational traditions. Whether or not the reasons for this is just because we don’t think to engage much with the church’s history between John at Patmos up until maybe John Huss or Luther -asides from the occasional quote from Augustine- or if perhaps the reason(s) are more tied to us not being able to handle it because of various usual theological implications we would quickly run into that would be problematic for our systems… But despite whatever the reasons may be, I have been so greatly blessed and delighted by the apostolic fathers’ writings. 1st Clement was my first encounter with these guys and I was utterly blown away by his beautifully crafted Old Testament treatment. Very blessed by the rest of the apostolic fathers as well. It was encouraging also that you recommended the Michael Holmes edition that I got over a month ago …I must be on the right track! Praise God!

Thank you again Dr. Cooper.

[MyName]

On the Apostolic Teaching by Irenaeus is a really great place to start, actually. You mention that Against Heresies is longer and more difficult, but this one is short, easy to read, and just a phenomenal outline of Christian theology, tracing the Trinitarian work of redemption from Genesis to Revelation in a really beautiful and insightful way. Also, I agree that Holmes's collection of The Apostolic Fathers and Athanasius's On the Incarnation are also great places to start.

[Shuffledhearts]

One method I found helpful is to read treatises or authors in connection with others. So, reading Justin Martyr and Athenagoras, Theophilus, Tatian together and then Tertullian's apology helps situated the 'apologetic' genre in context with itself. Or, reading Hilary's de Trinitate and then Augustine's de Trinitate helps showcase the development in thought between the two authors.

Many of the authors in the Church Father exist in this '4th century Nicene' context, and their works sort of circulate in this whirlpool of a theological context. HIlary's above mentioned text, Athanasius' texts, Basil's texts, Ephrem's hymns, Gregory Nazianzus' theological orations, etc. can be read in dialogue and partnership with each other because of their common Nicene context.

A trilogy of texts in the Patristic time frame are: Oration 2 (On his flight to Pontus) by Gregory Nazianzus, On the Priesthood by John Chrysostom, and Rule of Pastoral Care by Gregory the Great. These three form a kind of 'Pastoral Theology Trilogy' and are both good reads and a source of great insight.

[toddvoss]

Lots of good suggestions here. I will add: The Catechetical Lectures of St. Cyril of Jerusalem is a fascinating peek into instruction to catechumens in mid fourth century and what the Church widely believed and prayed. The History of the Church by Eusebius preserves quotes from very early Fathers such as Papias found no where else. In terms of book form, I really like the scholarly introductions and footnotes of Ancient Christian Writers series. A little pricey (but cheaper on Logos software), they also include texts not included in the typical online collections such as "On Faith and Works" by Augustine ; "The Call of All Nations" by Prosper of Aquitaine; "Exhortation to Martyrdom" by Origen (paired with his "On Prayer" which is more easily found online). These two by Origen are a good introduction to his spiritual writing (and essentially orthodox with just a hint of subordination of the Son).

[kimcass]

I just finished Holmes’ The Apostolic Fathers, and St. Athanatius’ On the Incarnation is sitting on my table to read when i finish The Warmth of Other Suns tomorrow. I’m glad to know it’s a good read!

[ozarkgrandprix]

Can I suggest a video on where to start with medieval scholastics?
I think as Protestants we ignore medieval writings and can tend to think that between Augustine and the reformation Christianity was nowhere to be found. I’ve read a little bit of Bernard but other than that I don’t know where to start.

[richardmcgarvey]

I find it very interesting that you mentioned some of the church fathers having Roman Catholic leaning & some Prodistant leaning. It seems that this Patristic age was very ecumenical?

[daric_]

I have the Ancient Christian Commentary series on Accordance, and I basically use it as a reference to point to where to study the father in context better. So I'll find fathers that talk about John 3, look at the reference, and go look the reference up. I agree that taking those quotes out of context is usually more harmful than helpful.

[marym]

Do you have a book you would recommend for an overview in chronological order? That would be historical and also theological?

[drewpanyko]

Tertullian's Prescription Against the Heretics is a great place to start. It's not only very informative about the ideas floating around in the second century, it's also more lucid and readable than many other Patristic works. It's a great foundation for future Patristic study.

[magnobraga]

Hi. Do you have any sugestions of books analysing church fathers quotations of NT? Maybe something academical in NT canab formation?

[christianf]

Hi Dr Cooper, do you have anymore church father editions out? Additionally, I don’t suppose you know where a person can get an affordable copy of Chemnitz’s commentary on Trent?

[toomanymarys]

I am doing it kinda weird. I'm reading whatever I feel like and then simultaneously a smaller amount in chronological order. That way, I will cover everything and have fun. I was kinda schizophrenic before. Lol. I was reading stuff too out of context before--and encountering a lot of dishonest proof texting.

Irenaeus is hilarious. His biting sense of humor it totally up my alley. But it's not exactly the most relevant to people now.

I suggest reading The Last Superstition by Feser before hitting the fathers so you have a bit of scholasticism/Aristolean background to make sense of the way they use philosophical terminology.

[nemoexnuqual]

Quick question.
Why does Augustine sprinkle “Isaiah” and “Song of Solomon” throughout his writings when there doesn’t seem to be an a reference to them?
It seems like he is just using them as exclamations.

[mattschneider]

Hey Dr. Cooper, really appreciate your work. I'm looking for a physical copy of Four Discourses Against the Arians by St. Athanasius. Do you have any suggestions about purchasing patristic works online? I'm having a tough time finding anything. Thanks, blessings in Christ.

[reformedcatholic]

Maybe reading the Apostolic fathers is a good start.

[wesmorgan]

I know you mentioned Holmes' Apostolic Fathers but I also ran across Rick Brannan's translation. Are you familiar with his and do you prefer one over the other?